Climate and Local Topography (hottest, warm, average, temperatures)

[GraniteStater]

I figured I would discuss climate and local topography since I did quite a bit of driving today. I live in Merrimack County, NH which has much topographical variation. I live closer to the Merrimack Valley at 300-400ft elevation. This area has a valley climate with a good mixture of deciduous and coniferous forests as well as prime agricultural land. Winds are usually lighter throughout the year in the valley. I took a drive west to nearby Sullivan County and went up to 1700ft elevation. I know a lot of westerners would scoff at that small elevation difference but here in NH that can make a world of difference with regard to having a completely different climate along with vegetation differences. When I left the valley at 3PM it was 86F. By the time I ascended the ridge near Lempster Mountain in Sullivan County it was 71F just a short time later. (I enjoyed some good fishing and kayaking among the fir and spruce forest that is not present in the valley). The overall weather pattern was the same throughout the state. I think microclimates are fascinating.

Tell us about local microclimates and topographical variations in your local area or state.

[Tennesseestorm]

This is a very interesting thread GraniteStater because I am facinated with microclimates as well.

Here in extreme northeast Tennessee, teh elevation varies greatly... from as low as 900 ft in the western part of NE TN, to as high as 4300 ft in parts of extreme NE TN near the North Carolina state line.

As far as microclimates in our immediate area, we have two areas that I like to go through. Two of my cars have outside temperature gauges. On my drive home, the moment I get out of the city limits, which at first abruptly changes to a heavily wooded area, I can watch the temperature drop about 4 or 5°, then about a mile later when I get on the highway, it will go back up to about what it was before... basically the same elevation though. Another area is on the west side of town a I head to Super-Walmart or something, you will go down a couple of steep grades and you can typically watch the temperature go up about 2-3°.

Another area, not in Tennessee, but in northwestern North Carolina / southwestern Virginia is going up and down I-77 near the stateline. There is a steep downgrade just before you cross into North Carolina if you are heading south. You go down what seems like for 5 miles. You can watch the outside temperature increase as you do down the mountain and you can look off into NC into the flatlands. Coming back, its the opposite.

Last time we came through there (in 2007) at the bottom (around 1100ft) it was 86° (near Mount Airy NC)... 12 miles up the mountain when we finally got to say, Fancy Gap VA (around 2700 ft), it was down to 70°. 2 hours later when we got home it was back to 80° (at 1500 ft).

Also, when we go to visit my aunt in South Carolina, we will go down I-26, which goes down through northeast Tennessee, down through southwest North Carolina and all the way down South Carolina. When we left her house three weeks ago, it was 99° in Anderson SC (700 ft)... by the time we got up to Asheville (2200 ft), it had dropped to 90°, then at the top of the mountain near Sams Gap (3700 ft) it was a pleasant 80°, then back at the house (1500 ft) about an hour later, it was back up to 92°.

This was going up that mountain on I77 in Virginia, then the overlook onto the Piedmont Plateau... this was taken in October 2007 or 2006. I cant remember... I think it was 2006.



This was last month... this is going up the mountain in northwestern South Carolina just before you get to the North Carolina state line.... the temp drops off at the top of this mountain summit as well. It dropped from 97° where the first photo below was, down to 87° at that summit.

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

I figured I would discuss climate and local topography since I did quite a bit of driving today. I live in Merrimack County, NH which has much topographical variation. I live closer to the Merrimack Valley at 300-400ft elevation. This area has a valley climate with a good mixture of deciduous and coniferous forests as well as prime agricultural land. Winds are usually lighter throughout the year in the valley. I took a drive west to nearby Sullivan County and went up to 1700ft elevation. I know a lot of westerners would scoff at that small elevation difference but here in NH that can make a world of difference with regard to having a completely different climate along with vegetation differences. When I left the valley at 3PM it was 86F. By the time I ascended the ridge near Lempster Mountain in Sullivan County it was 71F just a short time later. (I enjoyed some good fishing and kayaking among the fir and spruce forest that is not present in the valley). The overall weather pattern was the same throughout the state. I think microclimates are fascinating.

Tell us about local microclimates and topographical variations in your local area or state.

[Infamous92]

All of New York City is in the Humid Subtropical Climate but the southeastern part (where I live) is also in a microclimate which is warmer in the Winter and more humid in the Summer. A good example would be right now at 2 AM Central Park's heat index is 68° while JFK's is 77°. The topography in this part of New York City is naturally flat with flat sandy beaches, while the more northern parts of the city are naturally hilly with a more rocky coastline.

[marmac]

We don't have many microclimates in Minnesota except for the lake effect of Lake Superior on Duluth and other North Snore cities.

I. have experienced microclimates in Hot Springs Arkansas where the city info claims there are 7 different microclimates within the Hot Spring city

Those microclimate changes ( and the ones posted by previous posters ) would be nice to experience while riding a motorcycle on a nice day as you would really notice the changes.

[susancruzs]

Mine is lake related as marmac says. The difference between Manitowoc and Two Rivers amazes me and I've always been a "Great Lakes" gal!

I posted on Wisc. board about Manitowoc/TR, they were kidding surely I was exagerating. Someone said they checked the temps Manitowoc was 15° warmer!

The town borders run together but as you leave Manitowoc you are heading out into the lake as TR is on a little bump out. The lake is literally south and east of me! One morning at 8 a.m. it was 50 in TR and Manitowoc was already 70. I love it here for all the changeable weather and the fog horn!!!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

This is a very interesting thread GraniteStater because I am facinated with microclimates as well.

Here in extreme northeast Tennessee, teh elevation varies greatly... from as low as 900 ft in the western part of NE TN, to as high as 4300 ft in parts of extreme NE TN near the North Carolina state line.

As far as microclimates in our immediate area, we have two areas that I like to go through. Two of my cars have outside temperature gauges. On my drive home, the moment I get out of the city limits, which at first abruptly changes to a heavily wooded area, I can watch the temperature drop about 4 or 5°, then about a mile later when I get on the highway, it will go back up to about what it was before... basically the same elevation though. Another area is on the west side of town a I head to Super-Walmart or something, you will go down a couple of steep grades and you can typically watch the temperature go up about 2-3°.

Another area, not in Tennessee, but in northwestern North Carolina / southwestern Virginia is going up and down I-77 near the stateline. There is a steep downgrade just before you cross into North Carolina if you are heading south. You go down what seems like for 5 miles. You can watch the outside temperature increase as you do down the mountain and you can look off into NC into the flatlands. Coming back, its the opposite.

Last time we came through there (in 2007) at the bottom (around 1100ft) it was 86° (near Mount Airy NC)... 12 miles up the mountain when we finally got to say, Fancy Gap VA (around 2700 ft), it was down to 70°. 2 hours later when we got home it was back to 80° (at 1500 ft).

Also, when we go to visit my aunt in South Carolina, we will go down I-26, which goes down through northeast Tennessee, down through southwest North Carolina and all the way down South Carolina. When we left her house three weeks ago, it was 99° in Anderson SC (700 ft)... by the time we got up to Asheville (2200 ft), it had dropped to 90°, then at the top of the mountain near Sams Gap (3700 ft) it was a pleasant 80°, then back at the house (1500 ft) about an hour later, it was back up to 92°.

This was going up that mountain on I77 in Virginia, then the overlook onto the Piedmont Plateau... this was taken in October 2007 or 2006. I cant remember... I think it was 2006.



This was last month... this is going up the mountain in northwestern South Carolina just before you get to the North Carolina state line.... the temp drops off at the top of this mountain summit as well. It dropped from 97° where the first photo below was, down to 87° at that summit.

Those temperature differentials seem about right. Thanks for the great photos. I have never traveled on highway 77 before. I read somewhere that for every 1000ft of elevation gain you advance 2 degrees north in latitude in terms of common vegetation types along with a change in climate zone. In NH, Mt. Washington is 6288ft in elevation. The elevation at the base of the mountain is below 1000ft in elevation. The latitude of the area is 44N. The climate zone at the summit is Alpine. (The only area in the eastern US with an Alpine climate and completely above treeline). In reality, Mt Washington is shifted northward to 56N when you factor in the elevation gain.

[DaninEGF]

I am a weather forecaster and those microclimates are sure fun!

In my area which is mainly flat there are not nearly so many like in New Hampshire or other hilly/mountainous areas....or like areas near the large bodies of water.

But there is an influence in the Red River valley during the winter. The Red River valley is about 20-40 miles wide...with about a 300-400 ft elevation rise either side. During the winter....often cold arctic air which is heavy and dense will like to settle into the valley and when we have warm fronts move through the warmer air aloft cannot penetrate the 300-400 ft down into the valley floor. This results in the valley skip over....with temps either side of the valley being 10 degrees warmer in some cases....than in the valley. For example Grand Forks in the valley can be zero with a south wind (parallel to the river).....while you go 30 miles east or west you have a west wind and it can be 10-15 above.

Interesting but nothing like other parts of the country.

Dan

[ColdCanadian]

My neighbourhood is in a subtle "hollow" running north-west to southeast
with approximately 3-5% grade going westwards, with the land peaking about 20 feet higher than our lot
and ranging from flat to 1-2% grade heading east, maybe 3-5 feet higher than our lot.
It is also flanked to the east by a fairly large, tall forest; treeline at 50-80 feet high.

Compared with the Toronto Airport
(which is about twice as far from Lake Ontario)
not counting winter,
we tend to have cooler evenings, overnight and morning low temps
usually 1-3 C or 2-5 F.

We don't get any direct sunlight about 40-60 minutes before sunset because of the "hollow" effect combined with housing blocking out direct sun.

Our hottest peak temps in summer tend to be a little lower, thanks to all the "green" nearby... as long as we aren't in a "dry" spell. You can detect a little higher humidity, but also a little more of a "fresh" smell to the air.

Our average windspeeds seem to be close to half the windspeed registered at the airport.
Usually the average sustained windspeed at the Airport is the speed of our "gusts" on our windy days.
This helps A LOT in winter.

Usually our temperatures are only consistant with the Airport on very windy days and/or very cloudy days.

[Westerner92]

Texas doesn't really have any notable microclimates, which I guess is why I'm so fascinated by them. The closest thing I can think of is that inside Lubbock it tends to be less windy and a little bit more humid than the surrounding countryside. I remember looking at the California weather maps yesterday, and I noticed that Santa Monica was 66ºF, but Santa Clarita, which is about 30 miles away, was 105. I experienced a similar thing in Washington last week when it was 70 in the valleys and 40 just up the mountainside on Mount Rainier. I think that's just crazy.

[ColdCanadian]

I suppose the term "micro-climate" can still be a very broad term.

For gardeners, "micro-climate" variations within your yard or neighbourhood can be critical for plant survival.
(ie. bowl shaped low areas collect more cold overnight in calm weather)
I posted about my neighbourhood's micro-climate in case anyone was interested.